Leaf-spring lubricator.



F WHiTNEY.

LEAF SPRING LUBRICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. 1916.

Patented July 24-, 191?.

U Inventor Attorneys was rain rip.

FRANKLINCOLN Wnr'rnEY, or LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR OF FORTY-NINE ONE- HUNDREDTHS, T0 Aneus'r MAAS, or. LINCOLN,.1\TEBRASKA;

L'n'ar-srniive- Lniaitrcat'r on'.

Application filed October'20, 1916. SerialNo. 126,770.-

slide relative to one another due to the flex ure of the spring.

It is the object of the invention toprovide a novel and improved device for lubrieating leaf or laminated springs, the device being extremely simple, compact and inexpensive in construction,"being readily applied to and removed from the spring, being thoroughly practical, efficacious and satisfactory in use, and not apt to be rendered inoperative by dirt, moisture,"or the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of the device, one of the cups being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a modified form.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of another variation.

Fig. 4 is a diametrical section of a modified form of cup.

In carrying out the invention, reference being had to Fig. 1, there is provided a pair of lubricant cups 1 disposed in opposite positions and having their mouths nearest one another, and said cups 1 can be struck from sheet metal by means of suitable dies, or can be otherwise manufactured. Said cups can be of various shapes and sizes, and a sponge 2 or other absorb- Sp ecifi cation of Letters fatent.

Patented July at, 1917.

ent filling is disposed in each cup for holding a supply of lubricant which can be readily poured into the cups when they are detached from the spring. The cups are 'ai'ovided at their bott'om or central portions with outstanding sockets 3 for the engagement of a yoke-shaped retaining spring L straddling the spring S for holding the cups against the opposite sides of the spring S in contact with the edges of the leaves thereof. The spring a is formed from resilient wire or other suitable stock, and is provided at its ends with inturned fingers 5 seated in the sockets 3, to holdthe cups 1 and spring assembled, and the arms or terminals of the spring tend to move toward one another, whereby to press the cupsagainst the spring and hold them in place. The spring 4 is provided at its intermediate portion with a coil 6 to add to the resiliency of the spring, and to permit of the iiexure of the arms of the spring The cups 1 have their rims in contact With the opposite sides of the leaf spring S, and the fingers 5 in engaging in the sockets 3, permit of the cups 1 rotating or oscillating about their axes, due to the slidingmovements of the leaves relative to one another as the leaf spring S flexes. The oscillation or vibration of the cups 1 facilitates the application of the lubricant from the sponges or absorbent fillers 2 to the leaves of the leaf spring. The constant pressure of the retaining spring 4; permits it to respond to every motion of the leaf spring, as well as the cups 1, and the motion of the cups 1 provides for the quick distribution of the oil or lubricant from the sponges to the leaves. Once the lubricant is spread on the sides of the spring S, the motion of its leaves, together with the capillary attraction, will quickly distribute the lubricant overthe surfaces of the leaves. The rims of the cups in bearing against the spring serves to close the mouths of the cups, to exclude water, dirt and other foreign matter, the cups 1 be ing imperforate and having no holes for the reception of lubricant or foreign matter. A supply of lubricant can be replenished from time to time, since the device can be readily removed from the spring, and the lubricant injected into the cups. The device is adaptable to various springs, and can be applied either from the bottom or top of the spring.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, only one of the cups 1 is used, the opposite finger 5 bearing against the opposite side of the spring, and this view serves to illustrate how one instead of two cups can be used, when it is desired to supply the lubricant to one side of the spring only. In this form also, the spring 4: has a zigzagged or sinuous resilient portion 6 instead of a coil 6 as above described, depicting how the retaining spring 4 can be modified.

In Fig. 3, the yoke-shaped retaining spring 4L is provided at its ends with inwardly projecting coils 6" engaging the cups 1 for pressing them toward one another.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the cup 1 can have an instruck socket 3 at its center, instead of an outstanding socket.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Al lubricator embodying a lubricant supplying member, and a yoke-shaped spring having one terminal arranged to press said member against an object to be lubricated between the terminals of the spring.

2. A lubricator embodying a lubricant holding cup adapted to rest against one side 01": an object, and spring means adapted to straddle said object and having one terminal pivotally engaged with the central portion of said cup for pressing the cup against said objectand having another terminal at the opposite side of said object, said terminals of the spring means tending to move toward one another.

3. A lubricator embodying a pair of 0pposed lubricant containing cups to bear against the opposite sides of an object to be lubricated, and spring means adapted to straddle said object and having terminals tending to spring toward one another and toward the object straddled, said terminals extending behind and engaging the remote portions of the cups for pressing them toward one another against the sides of the object.

4. A lubricator embodying a pair of opp osite lubricant containing cups adapted to bear against opposite sides of an object, and spring means adapted to straddle said object and having opposite terminals pivotally engaged with the central portions of said cups for pressing them toward one another against said object.

5. A lubricator embodying a lubricant holding cup having a socket at its central portion, and a retaining spring having a finger engaging in said socket for pressing the rim of the cup against an object to be lubricated. r

6. A lubricator embodying a lubricant holding cup, and a yoke-shaped spring having one terminal engaged withthe cup to press it against an object between the terminals of said spring. 7. A lubricator embodying a lubricant holding cup, and a yoke-shaped retaining spring having one terminal pivotally engaged with the central portion of said cup to press the rim of said cup against an object between the terminals of saidspring.

8. A lubrioator embodying a pair of lubricant containing cups arranged in opposite positions so that their rims are adapted to bear against the opposite sides of an object, and a yoke-shaped spring having its terminals engaged with said cups to force them toward one another.

9. A lubricator embodying'a pair of oppositely disposed lubricant containing cups whose rims are adapted to bear against the opposite sides of an object to be lubricated, said cups having centrallylocatedsockets, and a yoke-shaped retaining spring having inturned fingers at its terminals engageable in said sockets.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses- V J FRANK LINCOLN WHITNEY.

Witnesses:

JENNIE B. ADAMS, E. C. FOLSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

